Texas Children's Hospital announces development of David Clinic at pediatric community hospital in The Woodlands

HOUSTON - (June 4, 2014) - Texas Children's Hospital today announced the development of a David Clinic at the new pediatric community hospital in The Woodlands that is slated to open in 2017. The clinic is named in honor of David Vetter, the famous Texas Children's patient from the 1970s known as the "Bubble Boy" who suffered from an immune disease that prevented him from fighting germs.

In conjunction with the announcement, David Elementary School presented a donation to Texas Children's Hospital, raised by the students and their families, for more than $38,000 to be used for the construction of the new facility, which will serve as an extension of the already established David Center at Texas Children's Hospital's main campus, which provides state-of-the art care and cutting-edge research for primary immunodeficiencies, inborn diseases of the immune system which make children susceptible to auto immunity and infectious diseases.

Each year, David Elementary School, an institution located in The Woodlands and named after David Vetter, hosts David's Dream Run, a fun run that has raised more than $350,000 since its inception. All proceeds support The David Center and are used to further develop the knowledge gained from treating David to save the lives of other children born with immune deficiency. Now, with the construction of the David Clinic in The Woodlands, all funds from the annual run for the next three years will go to support the new Woodlands facility.

"With the growing city of Houston and Texas Children's Hospital facilities, it makes the most sense to put an extension of the David Center in David's own community and in our new hospital in The Woodlands," said Texas Children's Hospital's Dr. Jordan Orange, section chief of immunology, allergy and rheumatology.

The David Clinic at Texas Children's new pediatric community hospital in The Woodlands will be an integral part of the David Center and will place experts in primary immunodeficiency in The Woodlands community to ensure that any child affected by the disease receives world class care and diagnosis in their own community. There are also plans to have three expert physicians staffing the clinic with full access to Texas Children's Hospital's diagnostic laboratory to help advance the understanding of children who are likely to have an immunodeficiency. Signage in The David Clinic will honor its namesake and donors.

"I am so excited that parents in our community will now have a convenient way to have their children evaluated for immunodeficiency," said Carol Ann Demaret, mother of David Vetter and long-time Texas Children's Hospital supporter.

Demaret, a tireless advocate for The David Clinic, is an integral part of communicating awareness of immunodeficiency. She regularly visits David Elementary on "David's Day" and talks with teachers and students about David's life and journey.

Individuals and businesses interested in making a gift to support the new Texas Children's Hospital in The Woodlands can get more information at www.texaschildrens.org/thewoodlands.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.